Muslim roots of the blues

Robert Johnson , considered the grandfather of Blues, is reputed to have sold his soul to the devil in exchange for his musical ability. Not only that, but Blues was not accepted into mainstream American culture for many years because of its dubious source from the Black population. Softened by time, Blues is now considered great music. Why would God want to get involved with the origins of such a questionable form or music? Wait, allow me to answer that - God works in mysterious ways.

Well, we are always standing at the Crossroads, trying to flag a ride with someone. Sometimes we get picked up by angels, sometimes by demons. All kinds of frequencies out there. But the ability to create and play/sing music is, in and of itself, a good thing.

When ethnomusicologists talk about American blues coming from West Africa they are referring to the fact that the neutral third can be found in most west African musical systems. This pitch, halfway between a major and a minor third, is related to, though not necessarily derived from, the Arabic Rast maqqam. Rast also has a neutral sixth, which is not featured in west African pitch systems.

Such people are not talking about the experience of black slaves in America.

I would submit that it is the experience of thorough disempowerment, combined with a kind of indwelling hope, that mostly produced the music that we call American blues. The emotional experience is primary. Pitch systems are a secondary factor.

When ethnomusicologists talk about American blues coming from West Africa they are referring to the fact that the neutral third can be found in most west African musical systems. This pitch, halfway between a major and a minor third, is related to, though not necessarily derived from, the Arabic Rast maqqam. Rast also has a neutral sixth, which is not featured in west African pitch systems.

Such people are not talking about the experience of black slaves in America.

I would submit that it is the experience of thorough disempowerment, combined with a kind of indwelling hope, that mostly produced the music that we call American blues. The emotional experience is primary. Pitch systems are a secondary factor.

Good post. You are correct - only the experience of slavery and being ripped from your roots could produce the blues. Are you a musician?

By the way, it was the Dutch who started shipping slaves to America, so maybe we should give them credit for the blues. The Dutch are, on the whole, a totally immoral and mercenary lot.

When ethnomusicologists talk about American blues coming from West Africa they are referring to the fact that the neutral third can be found in most west African musical systems. This pitch, halfway between a major and a minor third, is related to, though not necessarily derived from, the Arabic Rast maqqam. Rast also has a neutral sixth, which is not featured in west African pitch systems.

Such people are not talking about the experience of black slaves in America.

I would submit that it is the experience of thorough disempowerment, combined with a kind of indwelling hope, that mostly produced the music that we call American blues. The emotional experience is primary. Pitch systems are a secondary factor.

Good post. You are correct - only the experience of slavery and being ripped from your roots could produce the blues. Are you a musician?

By the way, it was the Dutch who started shipping slaves to America, so maybe we should give them credit for the blues. The Dutch are, on the whole, a totally immoral and mercenary lot.

By the way, it was the Dutch who started shipping slaves to America, so maybe we should give them credit for the blues. The Dutch are, on the whole, a totally immoral and mercenary lot.

Say what? Dutch worse than Brits?

Absolutely. The Dutch even ripped off the Native Americans when Peter Minuit bought Manhattan for 60 Dutch Guilders (somewhere around $100 in today’s money). Bad, bad, bad people. No wonder God cursed them with such a small country filled with windmills, tulips and bad beer. (Eventually Sander will have to come to the aid of his countrymen).

By the way, it was the Dutch who started shipping slaves to America, so maybe we should give them credit for the blues. The Dutch are, on the whole, a totally immoral and mercenary lot.

Say what? Dutch worse than Brits?

Absolutely. The Dutch even ripped off the Native Americans when Peter Minuit bought Manhattan for 60 Dutch Guilders (somewhere around $100 in today’s money). Bad, bad, bad people. No wonder God cursed them with such a small country filled with windmills, tulips and bad beer. (Eventually Sander will have to come to the aid of his countrymen).

Sounds like a business transaction between agreeable parties to me. Better than killing them or driving them off, in any case. Rip-offs are thefts, by definition - not the case here. Apologize to the Dutch at once!
Also, being an expert on beer is not consistent with sound Christianity so govern thyself and be not drunk with strong drink. And besides, Heinekens is NOT a bad beer by any standard. Don’t like tulips? Poor soul.
To further you education on distinguishing rip-off, here is an example:
For a church or religion to tell a person that they most believe and contribute or face eternal torment in the flames. Now this is a rip-off.

Also, being an expert on beer is not consistent with sound Christianity so govern thyself and be not drunk with strong drink. van der Wotansson

Please read John 2 (miracle of water-to-wine) and notice that it was the BEST wine that Jesus made.

Expertise in fine libations has been
a Christian tradition for generations

And I seriously question your Dutch ancestry.

From the label of Rio Grande wheat bear, Albuquerque NM:

Brewed under the guidance of the Reverend Thomas C. Hart, Brewmaster, in celebration of the 208th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA). Rev. Hart reminds you “wherever four Presbyterians are gathered you are sure to find a fifth”

I wonder if consumption of “fifths” are not at the root of most Christian doctrine.
And you still owe an apology to the Dutch - you Dutch hater.